Role of the Non Jew in Kol HaLev, Cleveland's Reconstructionist community

Kol HaLev has always been a Kehillah Mekabelet (welcoming community). Our founders in 1992 included intermarried couples, and we have always been open to a diverse membership.

While we have always encouraged our non-Jewish members to participate actively in Kol HaLev, we are a Jewish community. Thus, we must balance our goal of inclusiveness with the voice of Jewish tradition, which, at times, moves us to reserve certain types of religious leadership and ritual roles for Jewish members of Kol HaLev.

These guidelines on the role of non-Jewish members and guests in our community were developed by a committee composed of a cross section of members and approved by our Board of Trustees. These principles are similar in many ways to those in a report by our national body, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.

We hope these guidelines will help each Kol HaLev family find a place of comfort and acceptance in our community, while maintaining Jewish tradition and Reconstructionist ideals.

Membership

Our bylaws state, "Any person, 18 years of age or older, who holds himself or herself out as being Jewish or is actively pursuing conversion to Judaism, or is the parent, child, spouse or partner of a Jew, and who is committed to pursuing the purposes and activities of the Havurah, shall be eligible for membership."

Organizational participation

Non-Jewish members may serve on the Board of Trustees. However the president, vice presidents, treasurer and secretary must be Jewish, as they represent Kol HaLev inside and outside the Jewish community.

Non-Jewish members may serve on committees and lead them, but the Chairpersons of the Religious Practices, Education, and Next Generation committees must be Jewish because those positions require knowledge of and deep commitment to Judaism. Only Jews may supervise service leaders and educators.

Worship

The roles reserved for Jews are:

to be counted in the minyan (usually only adult Jews are counted)
to be shaliah tzibur (service leader)
to have an individual aliyah
to carry the Torah scrolls, lift them (hagbah), or wrap them (gelilah)
to lead "particularistic blessings" (they include the words asher kideshanu bemitzvotav - who has made us holy through your commandments).

The worship opportunities for non-Jews are extensive and include:

to participate in services
to be part of a group aliyah which includes Jews
to open and close the Ark
to lead "universalistic" blessings (brichot nehenin - blessings of enjoyment, such as the Sheheheyanu)
to dance with the Torah in group celebrations
to read supplementary readings
to affirm respect by standing next to the person having an aliyah, lighting candles, or performing other rituals.

Ceremonies and celebrations

When a non-Jewish partner supports the Jewish partner's involvement in Kol HaLev, we will honor the couple's desire to celebrate aufruf and anniversaries.

In all ceremonies, such as Brit Mila, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, weddings, aufruf, and anniversaries, non-Jewish family members are welcome to affirm their respect during the blessings recited, to say the Sheheheyanu prayer, personal prayers and supplementary readings.

In B'nai Mitzvah ceremonies there are further opportunities for non-Jewish family members who encouraged the child's preparation and education, such as, affirming respect at the Erev Shabbat candle lighting and during the Torah service, presenting the tallit (prayer shawl), addressing personal remarks to the bar/bat mitzvah, making the motzi (blessing over bread), meeting with the rabbi to plan the service, working on social action and /or study projects. (Note: We have developed a statement of requirements and guidelines regarding Bar or Bat Mitzvah.)

As revised by the Board of Trustees October 13, 2003
Changed to reflect our new name July 19, 2004